GER – FIBA U17 World Championship quotes of the day: Day 3

HAMBURG (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Day three provided some close encounters, some breathtaking basketball action and probably two of the best performances of the tournament so far.
And the press conference room proved to be just as entertaining as the court. Here is just some of what was said on day 3.

Quote of the day:

“Thank you for all being here. This is my first big interview so I will try not to say something stupid”
Tomasz Gielo, Poland forward and number 12 with a touch of class and a hint of self-mockery.

Other selected quotes:

“I need to practice more…”
Han Huiwon, Korea’s forward and number 10, whose work ethic hasn’t dropped in spite of a painful defeat to Australia.

“I’m very proud of the way the guys played” Andrija Dumovic, unwilling to put himself at the centre during the post-game press-conference.

“I expect FIBA 33 to be very popular in top level competition as well as in parks or wherever there’s a hoop and a backboard.”
FIBA President Bob Elphinston, attending the 3on3 side event.

“I can only congratulate the USA team. They have very good fundamentals. They really had a very good game.”
China big man Zhu Xuhang sums up the fair-play sportsmanship on show in Hamburg

“They played like men, we did not play like men.”
Germany head coach Frank Menz… following his team’s annihilation by Germany.

“We hope it was good to see for the audience.”
Grzegorz Zielinski, Poland assistant coach following his team’s obliteration of Germany; not sure that the audience really did enjoy the game all that much.

“Sometimes those close games feel worse than the blowouts.”
Canada captain Kevin Pangos about Friday’s last minute defeat to Germany

“Not for one second. Camp is for individuals. I’d rather play for my country any day.”
USA guard Bradley Emmanuel Beal, after being asked how difficult it was to turn down the ‘LeBron’ camp.

“The true strength of a team is measured in defeat.”
Germany Amselm Sebastian Hartmann already talks like a true captain.

FIBA